The Caribbean islands that run like a loose, wiggly string from Puerto Rico southeast toward Grenada and Barbados, are situated perfectly for the meandering ways of a sailing ship. Most distances between island anchorages are relatively short, so hurry is not a factor, and there’s little need to put into the bustling ports where big [...]
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Norwegian Breakaway rocks New York
Aboard the Norwegian Breakaway-Cruise lines normally shy away from mentioning “rocks” when talking about their ships and where they are sailing. But Norwegian, perhaps the most innovative of all the modern cruise companies, is not shy. And neither is the world’s newest cruise ship, the 4,028-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, which, says the company, now rocks New [...]
Windstar cruises anew, with three spiffier ships
Powered by a new owner, new leadership, and $18 million of renovation, Windstar Cruise’s three ships are sailing again with vim, vigor, a contemporary interior, and a batch of new sails that total the size of seven football fields. Windstar’s energetic president and CEO, Hans Birkholz, said that bookings for 2013 are up 60 percent [...]
Joys of cruising at tables filled with strangers
Cruise ship changes that allow you to pick the time for dinner — as well as the cuisine style and a table for two or a few close friends — are partly responsible for the continuing increase in the popularity of sea vacations. Comfort food, casual dress and anytime eating are among the top draws [...]
Eating in hog (fish) heaven, Key West, Florida
On any coast, I’m a sucker for fresh fish and a casual attitude. Give me a picnic table, a roll of paper towels, today’s catch, local beer on tap, and I’ve got all the atmosphere I want. Locals in Key West sent me to the Hogfish Bar & Grill, a great restaurant, they said, if [...]
Exploring Key West, a most decorated sandbar
I never tire of Key West. I’ve lolled around the city at the bottom of Florida maybe a dozen times, each occasion too short. When I leave, I know I will be back. Lobster Trap Christmas Tree at Key West’s Historic Seaport (Photo by Rob O’Neal ) It’s no secret that Key West is a [...]
Viking River Cruises launches the first two of six new river ships
For river cruisers in Europe, this will be a year for boning up on stories about Viking gods, goddesses, and heroes. Viking River Cruises, largest of the many companies that operate long and low vessels on the busy rivers of Europe, is introducing six identical boats this year, all named for famed Vikings. You might [...]
Cruising farther south than I’ve ever been
Antarctica remains elusive for me as a travel destination, but I’m getting closer. On my Celebrity Century cruise in Australia and New Zealand – from Sydney to Auckland with stops on the way – the ship rounded the bottom of New Zealand, East Southeast of Stewart Island. Our southern-most point was at the geographic coordinates [...]
Cruising New Zealand, slipping through Milford Sound
After two days and three nights at sea from Tasmania on the southern tip of Australia, Celebrity Century plunged into Milford Sound at sunrise. You would not want to sleep-in on the day that your cruise ship slips through the three sounds on New Zealand’s southwest coast, not if you want to see Milford, anyway. [...]
Cruising Australia, Prisoners of Mother England laugh like the devil in Tasmania
On the island of Tasmania, between the mainland of Australia and the ice of Antarctica, I did not encounter a single snarling Tasmanian Devil. But I did crash into the Tassie sense of humor. Humor is a useful attribute for residents of an island best known for its feisty, carnivorous marsupial and a resident history [...]
David Molyneaux
David has cruised on more than 50 ships and is president of the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. More...
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Cruise Ship Reviews
Uniworld River Duchess: “An excellent river cruise through Eastern Europe…this river ship has just been totally refurbished.“ More…
Ruby Princess: “As first-time cruisers we were delighted with the experience.” More…
Regent Seven Seas Voyager: “This is an excellent cruise line in all respects.” More…
Celebrity Solstice: “Excellent service, food and entertainment!” More…
HAL Eurodam: “Wow… very impressed with staff, cleanliness, and the FOOD!” More…
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